Earth handling implement



Jan- 8, 1952 l R. R. HARMQN ETAL 2,582,032

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Jan. 8, 1952 R. R. HARMON ET AL EARTH HANDLING IMPLEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29, 1947 Jan 8, 1952 R. R. HARMoN r-:rv/u. 2,582,032

v 'l EARTH HANDLING IMPLEMENT Filed May 29, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventors ROBERT R. HARMoN A.JAMES T. MlcHlE Attorneys Jan- 8, 1952 R; R'. HARMQN HAL 2,582,032

` y EARTH HANDLING IMPLEMENT A Filed May 29, 1947 l 5` sheets-sheet 4 Invenorrs ROBERT R. HARMON JAMES T. MICHIE Attorneys R. R. HARMON ET AL EARTH HANDLING IMPLEMENT Jan. 8, 1952 Fil-ed May 29, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet Inventors ROBERT R. HARMON JAMES T. MIGHIE Attorneys Patented Jan. 8, 1952 EARTH HANDLING IMPLEMENT Robert R. Harmon and James T. Michie, Charlottesville, Va., assignors to Southern Welding & Machine Company, Charlottesville, Va., a

partnership Application 'May 29, 1947, serial No. 751,497

7 Claims.

This invention relates to earth handling implements and more particularly to 'those of the wheeled-type for scraping, hauling and leveling.

This is a continuation-impart of our application Serial No. 703,130, filed October 14, 1946, now abandoned.

Devices of the general type to which thisinvention relates in which earth or dirt handling v scoops, carried on wheels, having digging, loading, carrying and dumping positions, 'are already known. In devices of this typewhich are particularly `adapted to be pulled by a tractor which also serves as the suspension point for the front end of the scraper carriage, it is' usual to provide a bulky, heavy and complicated frame lifting and scraper bowl tilting mechanisms.

In many of the devices of this general type the scraper bowl is usually carried in front of the rear wheels of the scraper carriage and means are provided for independently lowering the front end and the rear end of the scraper bowl. When the scraper bowl is 'so arranged, it is necessary to have somewhat complicated mechanism for controlling the bowl and it is also necessary to have a bulky and heavy overhead beam construction to support the controlling mechanism and provide the necessary strength to resist the forces encountered in the various operations of the scraper. Also in such prior devices, in order to obtain the necessary mechanical advantage in operating the scraper, it is necessary that the controlling devices, which are usually hydraulically operated, must have a very long travel. This necessarily complicates the control mechanism and necessitates the use of bulky hydraulic mechanism. The present invention provides an extremely simple, rugged, lightweight implement in which the travel of 'the hydraulic lifting `'and scraper bowl tilting mechanism is kept 'to a ininimum and in which the cutting operation of the scraping bowl is more readily responsible to the power control mechanism. The relation yof the mounting lof the wheels and the scraper bowl to each other is such that a very great range of vertical movement may be had. The general ar rangement is such that it makes it possible to dispense with the usual heavy overhead 'construe` tion and is such that the scraper bowl may be .raised and lowered and tilted with a minimum oi shift of the center of gravity and of the change of the moments due to the diierent operations. Also the construction is such that the lifting and lowering of the wheels can be readily coordinated at all times with the tiltingr of Itine `scrape!" bowl to eifect the desired angle of penetration of the scraper blade. The present construction also makes it possible to provide a very large road clearance. I

In prio-r devices, it has been common to use hydraulic means of fixed capacity and to use suitable linkage to obtain the necessary mechanical advantage to provide the maximum force required. This means that the large quantity of hydraulic fluid required 'to produce the maximum power must be moved in both directions when controlling the bowl and wheel positions. In accordance with the present invention, a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one at each side of the bowl, is provided for rotating the latter; one of the hydraulic cylinders being double-acting while the other' is single-acting. With this construction the single-acting hydraulic cylinder and one end of the double-acting cylinder provide the necessary capacity to hold the scraper bowl vin the proper position during the loading operation, while the other end ofv 'the double-acting cylinder provides the necessary capacity to move the scraper bowl to the dumping position. Since it desirable that the movement toward the dumping position be faster than the movement toward the loading position, this construction reduces the time required to dump and consequently reduces the size of the hydraulic pump required because it is necessary to supply fluid from the pump to only one hydraulic device during the dumping operation.

Accordingly, one of the major objects of the invention is to provide an earth handling implement of the type described which will be exe tremely simple, rugged, of lightweight construction and economical to manufacture, and in which the usual-bulky, heavy frame construction is unnecessary. Y

A- further object is to provide an earth handling scraperimplement of ythe type described having a 'transverse tube with an axle rotatable within said transverse tube, the axle being provided with longitudinal arms on which wheels are mounted andV in which the raising and lowering of the scraper frame is eiected by relative rotational movement between the axle and the transverse tube.

A still further object is to provide an earth moving implement of the type described having a longitudinal beam or tube attached -to a transverse member provided with offset longitudinally extending side members and in which the scraper bowl is pivotally supported on the rear end of the offset members with the axis of the wheels adjustable for up and down movement about a ing position, thus reducing the time required to operate the bowl from a pump of any given capacity.

It is also an object to provide an earthhandling implement of the type described, in which the bowl is operated by direct acting hydraulic means without the interposition of the usual linkages necessary to obtain mechanical advantage thereby keeping to a minimum the travel of the hydraulic means and eliminating the usual heavy frame structure and in which the scraper bowl is provided with a double acting hydraulic cylinder at one side thereof and with a single acting hydraulic cylinder at' the other side thereof in such manner that both of the hydraulic cylinders are utilized to move the scraper bowl to, and hold it in, the holding position and in which the `single-acting hydraulic means is utilized to move the bowl to the dumping position.

' Other and further objects will become readily apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Figure l is a exploded perspective view of an earth moving implement made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial sectional ure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial elevation with the near wheel removed showing the scraper bowl in earth leveling position in solid lines and the open position of the bowl in broken lines and also showing a modified form of the hydraulic means for raising and lowering the wheels;

Figure 4 is a further elevational View of Figure 3 with the near wheel removed and the scraper bowl shown in digging or penetrating position;

Figure 5 isa perspective View of a modified form of an earth moving implement made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a partial side elevation of Figure 5 with parts broken away;

Figure 7 is a partial plan view of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged partial plan of the left hand side of the modication of Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of Figure 5 as viewed from the rear.

An embodiment of the present invention is represented in the drawing as comprising a frame 10, a scraper bowl II and a wheeled carriage I2. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the frame is made from steel fabrications welded together and comprises a longitudinal drawbar tubular member I3 in the form of a cylindrical tube which is welded to a transverse tubular member I4 in a T-formation. At each side of the carriage there are pairs of longitudinally extending steel side-plates I6 which are apertured at the front end thereof to surround the transverse member I4 and are welded thereto by annular welds I8. Suitable steel plates Ilia, VIIb are'welded to the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the side-plates I S to constitute rigid hollow box frame members. An upstanding shield or apron construction I9, is welded tothe transverse member I4 and to the innermost longitudif elevation of Figinal steel side-plates I6. A depending skirt con"Y plates 24 welded to the frame side-plates IS.

Suitable gusset plates 2l and 22 are welded to the frame members I4 and I6 and to the apron construction- I 9 and the skirt construction 20, respectively. Theapron I9 and skirt 2l) serve to reinforce the frame and also cooperate with the scraper bowl I I to constitute a hopper for receiving,holding and transporting dirt picked up by the scraper blade 23. As shown in Figure 2,

. when the bowl II is in closed position the plane of the Ablade 23 will be substantially parallel to the lower edge of the skirt 20 and spaced a small distance therefrom.

It will also be apparent as set forth in more detail later, that the scraper bowl I I is pivotally mounted on side-plate frame members IE substantially on a level with the axis of the longitudinal drawbar tongue member I3, so that the pull from the tractor is direct and there will be a minimum stress lapplied to the member I3 during the digging and loading operations of the scraper.V

The construction and arrangement of'thehopper is such that it is substantially balanced with respect to the axis of the wheels 33. To this end, the wheels are suitably journaled on stub shafts on arms 3| and 32 which are welded to the ends of a transverse tube 33. The tube 33 extends through the transverse tube I4 and is suitably journaled ther-ein. The construction constitutes a transverse axle with the tube 33 constituting an offset centralportion thereof. Suitable hydraulic mechanism is provided for rotatingthe tube 33 thereby raising and lowering the ends of the arms 3I and 32 and thereby raising and lowering the axis of the wheels with respect to the hopper. In the form of the invention shown in Figure l, the arm 3l is one part of a bell crank which has an integral arm 3Ia extending at right angles to the arm 3| and extends upwardly from the latter. The cylinder of hydraulic mechanism 34 is pivoted to the upper end of arm Bla and the piston rod thereof is pivotally connected to a suitable bifurcated bracket 36 welded to the outermost longitudinal side-plate I6. Suitable iiuid conduits 3l and 38 are provided for voperating the hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower both wheels. If desired in the large size earth handling implements, a second hydraulic mechanism can be provided on the opposite side of the implement to operate a similar bell crank carried by the other end of the tube 33.

'Ihe scraper bowl II is of substantially ,conventional construction of the shape as shown and having suitable sideplates I Ia and an arcuate back member IIb, the side members and back member being welded together. The end plates IIa have projections IIc extending upwardly from the bowl proper between which a suitable transverse tubular member 4I is welded. The tubular member 4I is also welded to the upper edge of the back member IIb of the scraper bowl. This tubular member 4I is provided with an upstanding bracket 42 in the form of two spaced plates welded to the member 4I.

`The scraper bowl is provided with suitable trunnions'43 fixed to the opposite side plates I Ia thereof and form the pivotal support for the bowl. Suitable bearing cylinders 44 are welded in recesses in the rear ends of side members i3, and are adapted to receive suitable bearing sleeves 46 in which the trunnlons 43 are adapted 'ly by gravity when the fluid pressure is -r'eleased from the hydraulic cylinders 60, 6|.

The forward end of the hydraulic cylinders 60 and 6| respectively, are provided with ears 69a and 6|a. respectively, which arepivotallyconnected to extensions 86 on the side plates 81 which, together with the apron construction, similar to the one of the previous modification, serves as the hopper for cooperating with the scraper bowl 1| for transporting earth material. The parallel links 88 and 89 serve to pivotally `connect; the piston rods 69h and 6 lb, respectively,

to the arms 83 and 84, respectively. Suitable fenders 9| and 92 are suitably secured to the inner one of the respective parallel `linksfor the purpose of keeping dust and dirtA material Afrom falling on the lubricated piston rods 69h and 6|b respectively.

In general, the hopper for cooperating with the `scraper bowl for receiving and transportingl earth material is very similar to the one previously described. An upstanding shield or apron construction 99 is welded to the transverse member 14 and to the box members 16. A depending skirt construction ||l comprises a transverse plate welded to the underside of the transverse member 14 and suitable side plates welded to the box members 16 to constitute an enclosure which cooperates with the lower forward part of the bowl to receive earth material. It will be readily apparent that the apron and skirt construction coopcrates with the other members ofv the frame to provide a rigid construction. As shown in Figure 6, when the scraper bowl V1| is in the closed position the scraper blade 15 will be adjacent the lower edge of the depending skirt.

As shown and described in connection with the previous modification, the scraper bowl 1| is pivotally mounted on the box-like members 16 on an axis substantially on a level with the axis of the longitudinal drawbar tongue member 13 so that the pull from the tractor is direct and there will be a minimum of torsional or bending stress applied to the drawbar tongue member 13 during the digging and loading operation of the scraper. The construction and arrangement of the hopper and the bowl is such that when the scraper bowl is closed to carry a load of earth or dirt material, the load will be substantially balanced with respect to the axis of the ground engaging wheels 30.

The scraper bowl 1| is of substantially conventional construction similar to that previously described and is provided with suitable trunnions |03, which are fixed to thearespective side plates thereof, forming the pivotal support for the bowl. The details ofl this pivotal connection are similar to those previously described and it is believed that repetition of detailed description is unnecessary. As in the modification previously described, the centers of the trunnions are so positioned on the sides of the bowl thatwhen the bowl is in the closed position the center of gravity of the-latter will be forward of the center of the trunnions. The center of gravity of the bowl and the apron construction which constitute the dirt-carrying hopper will be substantially over the axis of the wheels. When the force is applied by the hydraulic mechanisms 6| and 62 tc raise and lower the wheels 30, there will be substantially no shift in the position of the center of gravity with respect to the axis of the wheels. As in the previous modication, because of this construction there will be a minimum of stress applied to the longitudinal tongue member 13. It

will also ,be noted that by reason ofthe pivotal mounting of the bowl 1| substantially on the axis of the tubular tongue member 13, there will be a minimum of stress applied to this member as a result of turning movements acting on the scraper bowl during the digging and loading operations. f

One of the important features of the present invention is the arrangement of the hydraulic means for raising and lowering the wheels and for rotating the scraper bowl substantially in the vertical plane passing through the box-like side members 16 of the frame. To this end, as previously described, theforward end of the hydraulic cylinders 62 and 63, respectively, are pivotally connected at |0| and |02 to the projections 16a of the box-like side frame members 16 and the hydraulic cylinders 6l),y 6I are pivotally connected to extensions 86 on the side plates 81. The piston rod of cylinder 62 is pivotally connected to the scraper bowl 1| by means of a suit-,- able trunnion |06. Likewise,4 the pistonrod of the hydraulic cylinder 63 is connected to the opposite side of the scraper bowl by means of a trunnion |01. As has been previously set forth in the present type of implement under consideration, it is particularly advantageous to be able to operate the scraper bowl in both directions with suiilcient speed so that the implement can be in substantially constant operation between the loading and unloading operations. Accordingly, itis necessary to provide force applying means suchv as the hydraulic vmechanism which can move -the bowl to the loading position and hold it in this position during the loading operation and then can move it to the dumping position in the quickest possible time considering the other practical aspects of the limitations of the power available to operate the scraper. be readily understood that it is necessary to provide means which canV exerty a greater forcel in one direction or resist movement in the opposite direction during the loading operation than for the dumping operation because during the loading it is necessary to hold the scraper blade in the proper position to cut into theearth. During this operation it is necessaryto apply force which is substantially equivalent to the drawbar force applied by the tractor to the. drawbar of the scraper. Since the capacity of the fluid pressure pump and system for operating the hydraulic devices is limited, it is highly desirable that mechanisin beprovided for movingr the bowl to the load position and holding it therein .during the loading operation and to thereafter move.it to the Adumping position not only with a minimum of time, but at the same time holding to a minimum the amount of hydraulic fluid necessary to accomplish these operations.A In devices prior to this invention, it iscommon to use force-applying means such, as the hydraulic 4mechanism which has substantially the same capacity for operation, in both directions. This necessitates moving through the pump as much uid for moving the scraper bowl to thedumping position as is required to move to the loading position. In these prior devices, it is common to use a mechanical linkage or other mechanism such as pulleys and cables to obtain the necessary force for operating the scraper. It is well understood that the greater the mechanical advantage obtained, the greater will be the necessary length of travel of the hydraulic means. This is a denite disadvantage in this type of implement.

-As is shown in Figures 6 and '1, the hydraulic cylinders 60, 6|, 62 and 63 'are supplied from a It will ass'aos 2 erally vertically of said Vrimplement,'and hydraulicl cylinders intercoupled' vbetweenr the vertical arms. of said bell cranks and said frame for rotating'said axle for raising and lowering said scraper bowl.

l 3.'In an earth handling implement, a frame comprisingV a longitudinal member constituting the 'drawbar tongue and the sole forward frame member, a transverse member connected to said longitudinal member, side members fixed to said transverse member and extending longitudinally of said implement, an axle having wheels mounted thereon and an oifs'et central portion pivotally connected to said frame adjacent the forward end of said side members and means for rotating said axle about said oifset portion for raising and lowering said wheels with respect to said frame, the scraper bowl pivotally connected to the'rear end of said side'members, a source of hydraulic iluid pressure, double acting hydraulic means operably connected between said frame and one side of said scraper bowl, a second single acting hydraulic means operably connected between said frame and the other side of said scraper bowl, hydraulic means for rotating said axle about said 'offset portion for raising and lowering said bowl and means for connecting said hydraulic means for operating said bowl and said hydraulic means for rotating said axle to said source of fluid pressure.

4. 'In an earth handling implement, a frame, an axle having wheels mounted thereon and an offset central portion pivotally connected to said frame, a scraper bowl pivotally connected to said frame on an axis parallel to the oifset central portion of said axle, a source of hydraulic iluid pressure, hydraulic means for rotating said axle about said offset central portion for raising and lowering said bowl, double-acting hydraulic means operably connected between said frame and one side of said scraper bowl, a second single-acting'hydraulic means operably connected between said frame and the other side of said scraper bowl, and means for intercouplingV with said source of fluid pressure the hydraulic means for operating saidbowl and the hydraulic means for rotating said axle.

' 5. In an earth handling implement, ka frame, a scraper bowl pivotally connected to said frame on an axis arranged transversely thereof, hydraulic means connected between said frame and said bowl and having a greater force exerting capacity in the direction for rotating said bowl to and holding said scraper bowl in the'loading position than for rotating said scraper bowl to the dumping position, an axle intercoupled with and extending transversely of said frame and having bell cranks xed thereto at the respective opposite ends thereof, one arm of said bell 'cranks extending longitudinally of said implement and having wheels mounted on the ends thereof and the other arm of said bell crank extending generally vertically of said implement, and hydraulic cylindersY intercoupled between the vertical arms of said bell cranks and said frame for rotating said axle for raising and lowering said scraper bowl.

, i2 6. An Vearthhandling implement 'comprisinga frame having longitudinally extending side members, a scraper b'o'wl having'its respective ends pivotally vconnected to said'side members Von an axis transverse thereto, hydraulic cylinder means operably connected between'said sidermembers and the respectivei'e'nds of said bowl for causing pivotal'movement of said bowl' about its pivotal connections with said side members, said pivotal connections between 'said'hydraulic means and said side members'and the pivotal connection between said hydraulic means and the respective ends of said scraper bowl lying in the same plane with the pivotal connection between the respective ends of said scraper'bowl'and said side members, thereby permitting the force of said hydraulic means lto be applied directly to said bowl and in the'plan of' the side membersof said frame, an axle extendingV transversely between said side membersfand having bell crank members fixed thereto at the respective opposite ends thereof, one arm of said bell crank members extending Ylongitudinally of said implement and having wheels mounted on the end thereof and the other arm of said bell crank member extending generally vertically of said implement, and hydraulic cylinders intercoupled between said vertically extending arm of said bell crank members and said side members forl rotating said axle to raise and lower said bowl. y l y 7. An earth handling implement, comprising a frame having a longitudinally extending tubular drawbar tongue member, a transverse tubular member xed to said longitudinal member in a T-shaped configuration, side members iixed to said transverse member and extending longitudinally of said implement, an axleV extending through said transverse member and having bell crank members fixed thereto at the respective opposite ends thereof, one arm of said bell crank membersv extending longitudinally of said implement and havingwheels mounted on the end thereof and the other armvof said bell crank members extending generally vertical of said implement, hydraulic cylindersoperably associated with said vertical arms of said bell crank members for rotating said axle, additional hydraulic cylindersV pivotally connectedto said side members and the respective `ends of said bowl for rotating the lattenabout its pivotal connection with said side members, the pivotal connections between said hydraulic cylinders and their respective operating elements lying substantially in the vertical plane Vof said side members.

'Y ROBERT R. HARMON.

JAMES T. MICHIE,V

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this'patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

